The Donald gets standing ovation as he accepts Republican nomination in race for White House

DONALD Trump formally accepted the role as nominee for the Republican party in the race for the White House on Thursday - setting him on the final road to potentially becoming president of the United States.

The billionaire businessman was giving a standing ovation and told the cheering crowd and the nation in his address: "I have joined the political arena, so the powerful can no longer beat up on people who cannot defend themselves. No one knows the system better than me."

He spoke for an hour and 15 minutes - the longest Convention speech from a nominee for either the Republican or Democrat party for 40 years.

Now all that stands between him and becoming "Leader of the Free World" is Hillary Clinton, who next week will formally accept her position as the Democrat nominee.

Trump painted a bleak picture of living in the US,  hitting out at the "death and destruction" caused by ISIS, vowing to stamp it out, and close the US borders countries which have known terrorist regimes.

He told the crowd he would build a "border wall" and stop illegal immigration, and called out China accusing it of money manipulation, as well pledging to overhaul global trade deals.

Trump also said he would restore "law and order to communities" get rid of criminals, and vowed to uphold American's right to bear arms under the Second Amendment saying: "I will protect the right of all Americans to keep their families safe."

And he took numerous pot shots at Hillary Clinton, suggesting she was to blame for many of the overseas interventions which America was currently involved in.

Before Trump's arrival Angelina Jolie's father, the actor John Voight, narrated a video telling the story of the billionaire's rise.

He referred to the business mogul as "my friend."

As well as flash back shots, it featured numerous employees, and his children talking about his passion for creating jobs, buildings and communities, and made a special mention of the number of women in his organisation.

Trump entered the arena and was introduced to the crowd at the Republican National Convention, in Cleveland, Ohio, by daughter Ivanka as the crowd whooped and shouted.

Taking to the podium she said: "For more than a year he has been the people's champion and tonight he is the people's nominee.

"I am here to tell you this is the moment and Donald Trump is the person to make American great again.

"Real change, the kind we have not seen in decades, is only going to come from outside the system, and it will only come from a man who spent his entire life doing what they said they couldn't be done.

"My father is a fighter. I have seen him fight for his family, I have seen him fight for his employees, and I have seen him fight for his company, and now I am seeing him fight for our country."

She added: "It has been the story of his life and more recently the spirit of his campaign."

Ivanka told the audience her father saw the "potential in people" and went on to highlight his "strength,  ability and kindness" as well as his "compassion", adding he had "empathy and generosity."

She went on to discuss how Trump building sites had men of all backgrounds and ethnicity's.

Ivanka added: "He is colour blind and gender neutral - he hires the best person for the job, period. He listens to everyone."

She talked extensively about if  Trump wanted something done he would make it happen, and to shouts from the crowd said: "When my father says he will make America great again, he will deliver. "

Ivanka added: "When you have my father in your corner you will never again have to worry about being let down, he will fight for you all the way, all the time."

Speaking about Trump's dedication to creating a more even playing field when it came to men and women in the workplace, she said: "When a woman becomes a mother she is supported not shut out."

She finished her speech to rapturous applause saying: "I could not be more proud to present to you and to you and all of America - my father, our next president - Donald J Trump."

As Trump took to the stage, he thanked his daughter and lapped up the applause, as the crowd chanted: "USA!"

He accepted the role of Republican nominee saying: "I humbly and gratefully accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States," and added:  "Together we will lead our country to safety prosperity and peace."

He then continued: "We will be a country of generosity and warmth - but we will also be a country of law and order."

In his speech, which was broadcast to the nation, Trump said if elected, he intended to restore safety, and planned to put an end to the rash of violence which has gripped America in recent weeks.

Focusing on law and order, he went on to say he intended to stamp out "chaos" in communities and use a strong man approach.

Trump told delegates : "The crime and violence which afflicts our nation will soon ,,and I mean very soon come to an end.

"Beginning on January 20th 2017, safety will be restored."

He added: "We cannot afford to be so politically correct any more."

Accusing the current government of rolling back law enforcement - he said murders were at their highest in the last 25 years.

Trump went on: "1085 illegal immigrants are tonight roaming free to threaten peaceful citizens.

"The number of (illegal immigrant) families already (coming into the US) exceeds the entire total from 2015 - they are being released by the tens of thousands into communities with no regards of the impact on public safety or resources."

The audience chanted: "Build the wall, build the wall" as Trump gave them a thumbs up.

Taking on the mantle of America's superhero he said he planned to stand up to bullying nations and wipe criminals from the streets: "America is far less safe – and the world is far less stable – than when Obama made the decision to put Hillary Clinton in charge of America’s foreign policy."

The delegates at the GOP convention shouted: "lock her up, lock her up" a mantra they have been using all week, to which he responded: "Let's defeat her in November."

Trump said: "I am certain it is a decision he (Obama) truly regrets. Her bad instincts and her bad judgment – something pointed out by Bernie Sanders – are what caused many of the disasters unfolding today."

He went on to blame Hillary Clinton  for being responsible for the spread of ISIS, tension in Egypt, and the continuing issues in Iraq and Iran, saying her legacy was: "death destruction , terrorism and weakness."

Trump continued: "Americanism not globalism will be our credo" and added: "As long as we are led by politicians who will not put America first, then we can be assured that other nations will not treat America with respect. This will all change when I take office."

Outlining his plan, he said it would "begin with safety at home. There can be no prosperity without law and order."

The real estate mogul also highlighted his focus on the economy and indicated the establishment was going to become something of a punchbag if he becomes president, promising: "I will add millions of new jobs and trillions in new wealth which can be used to rebuild America."

He went on to take pot shots at Clinton and referring to the emails she was investigated over which were deleted from her private server.

Trump said: "Her single greatest accomplishment may be committing such a grevious crime, and getting away with it ,when others have done far less and paid so dearly."

Speaking out about his reason to run for office Trump said: "I have joined the political arena, so the powerful can no longer beat up on people who cannot defend themselves. No one knows the system better than me.

"Which is why I alone can fix it. I have seen first hand how the system is rigged against our citizens just like it was for Bernie Sanders, he never had a chance."

Trump also touched on the shooting of police officers and said an attack on them was an attack on all Americans.

He them blamed Barack Obama and his administration for making America a more dangerous environment than he had ever seen, and said it had divided the nation by race and colour, telling the crowd: "When I take the oath of office next year I will restore law and order to our country - believe me."

Trump then spoke about ISIS, touching on France, and the terrible attack the country suffered in Nice.

To roars from the floor he told the crowd: "We are going to defeat the barbarians of ISIS and we are going to defeat them fast."

The Republican nominee also referred to the attack on the gay nightclub in Orlando, saying he planned to stop any more of the "hateful ideology" of ISIS causing any more harm.

As he was met with cheers and applause, he thanked the audience.

Talking about how he planned to stop attacks on the LGBTQ community, he said: "It is so nice to hear you cheering for what I just said."

Trump addressed his hot topic of immigration saying he wanted to "immediately suspend immigration from any country which has terrorism: "We don't want them in our country," and continued: "We are going to build a great border wall to stop the illegal immigrants and to stop the violence, and the drugs, and the gangs from pouring into our communities."

Working with border patrols he said he intended to strengthen legal immigration and end the catch and release of those trying to get into the US without the proper paperwork, through the proper legal channels.

Trump then went on to tackle trade deals saying he would no longer enter into contracts which were "thousands of pages long" and said would enforce trade violations against any nation which broke them.

Singling out China he accused it of "theft of intellectual property" and "currency manipulation."

Trump went on to focus on tax reduction and how it would benefit the population, saying: "Middle-income Americans and businesses will experience profound relief, and taxes will be greatly simplified for everyone."

His planned tax cuts, he added,  would enable jobs and companies to come "roaring back.";

"With these new economic policies, trillions of dollars will start flowing into our country," he said.

"This new wealth will improve the quality of life for all American."

Then he returned to his infrastructure pitch: "We will build the roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, and the railways of tomorrow."

He concluded this would in turn will create millions of more jobs.

Trump finished his speech turning to his family and his hopes for the country: "It is time to show the whole world that America is back, bigger, and better, and stronger than ever before."

Thanking his wife Melania and all of his children, he said: "You will always be my greatest source of pride and joy."

Trump went on to say: "My sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country, to go to work for you. It is time to deliver a victory for the American people - we don't win any more, but we are going to start winning again."

He concluded: "We will make America strong again, we will make America safe again, we will make America great again. God bless you and good night I love you."

As'Alright Now', by the English rock group Free, played, he was joined on stage by his family, and running mate Mike Pence.

Balloons and streamers rained down in  the colours of red white and blue and Trump clapped and smiled as the music switched The Rolling Stones hit 'You Can't Always Get What You Want.'